9.4.2010
This movie raises interesting questions about manhood and a man’s relationship to society, to his friends, and to the environment. It follows the four main characters (Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox, and Ned Beatty) on a canoe trip down a river set to disappear under a newly planned reservoir. Along the way they experience ‘hardships’ that leaves one dead, one wounded, and two mountain men murdered.
I enjoyed the development of Voight’s character, Ed, as circumstances unfold. He’s presented with a series of choices that transforms him from a slightly conformist persona into a man in charge of his destiny.
Overall, an enjoyable and well-made movie. It gets a little slow in places, but still worth it.